How do I calculate how many pavers I need?

Divide the total project area (in square feet) by the area of one paver (in square feet), then add 10% for waste. Our calculator handles all unit conversions and joint gaps automatically.

How much sand do I need for a paver patio?

A standard paver patio requires a 1-inch compacted bedding layer of coarse sand. To calculate, multiply the patio area in square feet by 1/12 (to convert 1 inch to feet), giving you the volume in cubic feet.

What type of sand should I use under pavers?

Use coarse concrete sand (ASTM C33) for the bedding layer — it compacts well and drains properly. Avoid fine play sand; it does not compact firmly and allows pavers to shift.

How deep should the base be under pavers?

A standard patio requires 4–6 inches of compacted crushed stone or gravel sub-base, followed by 1 inch of coarse sand bedding. For driveways, use 6–8 inches of compacted gravel sub-base.

What is the standard spacing between pavers?

Most concrete pavers are installed with a 1/4-inch joint gap. This calculator applies a 1/4-inch standard joint automatically. For natural stone, joints can range from 3/8 to 1 inch.

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Paver Calculator

Calculate exactly how many concrete or stone pavers you need for any outdoor surface. Includes bedding sand volume estimation for the required 1-inch compacted base layer, with support for imperial and metric inputs.

Building a patio, walkway, or driveway with pavers is a rewarding DIY project. Our Paver Calculator takes the guesswork out of ordering by calculating the exact number of concrete or stone pavers you need, along with the volume of bedding sand required for a stable, long-lasting installation.

1 · Project Specifications

Project Area

Project Length*12

Length of the patio, walkway, or driveway area.

Length Unit

Project Width*10

Width of the patio, walkway, or driveway area.

Width Unit

Paver Dimensions

Paver Length*12

Length of a single paver (standard concrete paver is 12 in).

Paver Length Unit

Paver Width*6

Width of a single paver (standard concrete paver is 6 in).

Paver Width Unit

Options

Output Unit System

Imperial (sq ft / in)Metric (m² / cm)

Waste Allowance (%)10 %

Extra pavers for cuts, breakage, and border edges (10% is standard).

2 · Material Estimates

Estimation Results

Enter your measurements and click Calculate to see your estimate.

Estimates include recommended safety waste margins. Double-check measurements before purchasing materials.

Calculation Formulas & Methodology

Project Area

Area = Length × Width

Calculates the total square footage of the paved area.

Effective Paver Area

Paver Area = (Paver Length + 0.25 in) × (Paver Width + 0.25 in)

Adds a standard 1/4-inch joint gap to each paver to calculate its installed footprint.

Pavers Required

Pavers = ⌈(Area × (1 + Waste / 100)) / Paver Area⌉

Applies waste factor and rounds up to the nearest whole paver.

Bedding Sand Volume

Sand (cu ft) = Gross Area (sq ft) × (1/12)

A 1-inch compacted sand bedding layer is the industry standard. Volume is calculated as gross area times 1-inch depth converted to feet.

How It Works

1Enter the project length and width (patio, walkway, or driveway area).
2Enter the paver length and width (check the product label — standard is 12×6 in or 200×100 mm).
3Select your preferred output unit system (imperial or metric).
4Set waste to 10% for square/rectangular areas; 15% for areas with many curves or complex borders.
5Click Calculate to get your paver count, sand requirement, and material recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

✓ Pro Tips

•Use polymeric sand to fill joints after installation. Unlike regular sand, it hardens when wetted and locks pavers together while inhibiting weeds and ant tunneling.
•Run a plate compactor over the finished paver surface to seat pavers into the sand bed and close any minor gaps.
•Grade the surface with a 1/8-inch slope per foot away from structures (like your house foundation) to ensure proper drainage.

⚠ Common Mistakes

•Skipping the gravel sub-base: Sand alone is not enough. A compacted gravel sub-base (4–6 in deep) is essential to prevent pavers from sinking and shifting over time.
•Using too much sand: The sand bedding layer should be exactly 1 inch deep after compaction. A thicker layer allows pavers to rock and sink unevenly.
•Not accounting for edge restraints: Edge restraints (plastic or metal borders) keep border pavers from migrating outward. Order enough to run the full perimeter of the project.